Chief Warrant Officer Three Thomas B. Crossan III was born on 25 June 1945 in Beckley, West Virginia. He loved flying, starting with getting his student pilot's license and making his first solo flight in 1962. He volunteered for service in the U.S. Army in 1970 and was assigned to Fort Rucker, Alabama, for Rotary Wing Pilot training, qualifying him as a CH-47 Chinook pilot.

Assigned to Vietnam, CW3 Crossan flew many missions including resupplying mountain-top fire bases, where he took some hits, but he always brought his CH-47 and crew safely back to the base. Electing to stay in the Army after returning from Vietnam, he served at Fort Carson, Colorado, and then did a two- year tour in Germany.

Upon his return from Europe, CW3 Crossan he was assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. As a Founding Night Stalker, CW3 Crossan served with Alpha Company, 159th Aviation Battalion. While, for security reasons, he couldn’t talk about his many 160th Task Force missions, it was clear that his heart was in what he was doing. He was certain that they were boosting our country’s military operational capability and security. CW3 Crossan was most proud of his selection to participate as a member of the Night Stalker team.

The accident that claimed his life on a CH-47 Chinook, #845, occurred on 10 July 1983 on South Fox Island, Michigan, located at the northern tip of Lake Michigan. CW3 Crossan and the crew were planning and developing new doctrine, tactics, and techniques that have made the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) what it is today.

CW3 Crossan is survived by his son, Thomas IV, and his daughter, Kathryn. He is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Court 1, Section GG, Column 11.

Tom’s commanding officer, MAJ Steven L. Hardin, said it all when he wrote in a letter to Tom’s father, dated 14 July 1983, extending his deepest sympathy in the loss of his eldest son and namesake:

Tom’s quiet manner and dedication to the mission accomplishment inspired us all to be able to face the challenges and dangers of our mission. Your son was always ready to tackle the most demanding and stressful tasks and he exemplified the professional aviator. Tom taught us well to carry on and we will never forget him.